Guard Von Wafer has agreed to play in China, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. Wafer has played for seven teams over the course of six NBA seasons. He most recently played with the Orlando Magic before being waived at the end of the 2012 season. Via NiuBBall.com: “Wafer’s professional playing career started after his sophomore year at Florida State University when he declared for the 2005 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Lakers in the second round, but wasn’t able to stick and proceeded to bounce around the league. A solid season for Houston in 2008-09 wasn’t good enough to land him a long-term deal, however, and he ended up the next season in Greece playing for Olympiakos. After struggling in Europe, he was bought out of his deal in December and was quickly snapped back up by Houston. But, Wafer never ended up playing for Houston after he failed his mandatory physical. Since then, he’s played in Italy and back in the NBA with Boston and Orlando. Now, ‘The Dutch Cookie’ will be taking his NBA career highs of 39% 3 point shooting and 9.7 points per game, all set with the Rockets in 2009, along with his daring drives and uncanny touch, to the Xinjiang plateau. The pressure cooker that is Xinjiang will stop at nothing short of a championship, and as we’ve seen in the past, the team is not averse to cutting even its most well-known imports or coaches. Will Wafer rise up to the altitude of Xinjiang, or will he be another high-profile NBA player leaving in disappointment?”

The Tournament of the Stars went down this weekend, and a bunch of NBAers—including James Harden, Glenn “Big Baby” Davis, Stephen Jackson, DJ Augustin, TJ Ford and Von Wafer—showed out. Here are the event’s top five plays, including a clutch hoop from Davis, a mean throwdown from Wafer and a string of intense buckets from Harden. (H/T: Hoopmixtape)

Von Wafer, most recently a member of the Boston Celtics, is the latest NBA player to take his talents overseas. The unrestricted free agent signed in Italy, and secured an opt-out clause that’ll enable him to return stateside should the lockout end during the international season. Via Sportando: “Wafer is officially a new player of Vanoli Cremona. The American spent last season in NBA with Boston Celtics averaging 3.2ppg in 58 games. Von Wafer has already played for few months in Europe in the season 2009-10 with Olympiacos but his experience in Greece ended without any luck. The player was selected by Los Angeles Lakers in the 2005 NBA Draft with the 39th overall.”

West faced the media for the first time since his fight with Von Wafer, and tried to downplay the incident. WEEI reports: “It’s not that serious,’ he said. ‘We’ve moved past that. We’re competitive guys. I’m competitive, he’s competitive. As long as it’s for the betterment of the team, there’s nothing wrong with healthy competition and pushing each other to get better. Things went a little too far at the same time we’re ready to move past that. We’re professionals and we’re on to something different … ‘I read the reports and a lot of things were taken out of context,’ West said. ‘Facts were made up that were not true how things played out. Guys get into scuffles or whatever you want to call it. At the end of the day we’re like brothers in here. At the end of the day we’re trying to win. We’re competitive. We’ve got fiery guys in here. You got to move on and get to the next thing.’”

The ’10-11 season is thick with subplots and excitement. Which early October story did you expect the least? Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Delonte West’s time in Boston may be short. West is already serving a 10-game suspension because of weapons charges, and on Friday his situation got worse. Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD reports that West and teammate Von Wafer got into a fight today after practice: “After another intense three-on-three game in practice today, Delonte West and Von Wafer got into a fist fight in the locker room. Punches were thrown and the players had to be separated. The Celtics are considering releasing West, who is on a non-guaranteed contract. Sources say that Wafer tried to walk away but West followed him into the locker room and threw the first punch. Doc and vets aren’t happy.”

This summer, Boston re-signed its core (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce) and added a few pieces (Shaq, Jermaine O’Neal, Von Wafer). What are your expectations? Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Hours after Eddie House decided to spurn offers from numerous teams to join the Miami Heat, reports surfaced that the Boston Celtics had countered by signing guard Von Wafer. And though the Celtics have yet to confirm the deal, an hour ago Von Wafer told SLAM that he has an agreement in place to play for Boston this coming season.

Coming off of a turbulent 2009-2010 campaign that began with him in Greece and ended with him returning to the States well before the end of Euro League play, the 6-5 Wafer is glad to be playing ball on this side of the Atlantic again.

“I wasn’t always sure I’d be back,” says Wafer. “it’s unbelievable. I’m just so happy to be back. I’m just so happy.”

Two seasons ago, by dint of his above average jumper and strong forays to the cup, Wafer averaged 9.7 ppg in just 19.4 mpg for the Houston Rockets. While it’s unclear what his exact role will be with the Celtics and how much scoring they’ll be looking for out of him, after a conversation with Coach Doc Rivers, Wafer sees himself filling in wherever the team needs.

“I just hope to help the team,” says the 25-year-old over the phone. “I’m all about the team first. I want to do anything I can to help make this a better team. Coach Rivers said, ‘If you’re not going to be a team player I don’t want you here.’ So I’m just gonna do my best to help make us a stronger group.”

The former 39th overall pick becomes the second Boston Celtics to hail from Louisiana, joining Glen “Big Baby” Davis—though he hasn’t yet had the chance to speak with any of his new teammates.

“I haven’t talked to them,” says the former Florida State star, “but I have a relationship with Paul Pierce and Big Baby.”

Currently in Los Angeles, VW plans on flying out to Boston early next week.

“I’m gonna leave Sunday,” Wafer says. “Then I’m gonna stay up in Boston, try to work with the coaches to get familiar with the defensive schemes, learn the plays and get more familiar with everybody up there.”

While Wafer isn’t as well known as some of the other wings Boston’s rumored to have looked into—Roger Mason Jr. and Jarvis Hayes are two examples—his combination of size, ability to hit threes and attack the rim is as good if not better than almost all the other players still on the market.

Von is expected to join Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels and Avery Bradley in the rotation of guards coming off the bench.

Assuming Luke Harangody signs with the team—as is expected—Boston now has 14 guaranteed contracts for the 2010-11 season. A group of 14 that Wafer thinks can contend for a championship.

“You know [we're] right there,” assures the man who weighed offers from Chinese teams in the not to distant past. “They were maybe one injury and a few shots away from winning a championship last year.

Though we’re in the summer lull, Wafer’s already anxiously waiting for the season to get started.

“I’m looking forward to seeing and playing against a lot of my old buddies!” exclaims the newest member of the storied franchise. “You know, playing against the Heat and their dynamic trio! I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Wafer hopes to wears No. 13, Shelden Williams’ jersey number this past season. If he can’t wear 13, he may have to change his Twitter handle.

Wafer is headed to Beantown with a one-year deal, sayeth Hoopsworld: “The Boston Celtics have signed Von Wafer to a one-year contract, according to sources close to the situation. The deal will be fully guaranteed and worth the veteran’s minimum. The Celtics had spent the past week looking for a guard to replace Tony Allen. Eddie House, Roger Mason, and Jarvis Hayes were mentioned as options, but the team ultimately went with Wafer because of his ability to score off of the bench.”

And he promises to behave from now on: “Rockets guard Von Wafer will be back on the bench and available to play tonight after a meeting Thursday morning with Rockets coach Rick Adelman. Adelman sent Wafer to the locker room in the fourth quarter Wednesday when Wafer protested being taken out of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. ‘He’s on the team,’ Adelman said. ‘We talked about it and it’s over with. He didn’t like coming out (of the game). He doesn’t have to like coming out, but it’s his job to accept that. This is not a one-time thing. A couple things have happened. It’s not the right time. It’s all about the team. That’s what Von and I talked about. It’s not about individuals. It’s not about me. It’s my job to coach the team. It’s your job to play. I did not like his actions when we’re in an important game in the fourth quarter. Players have to have more restraint than that.’”

The Lakers did what they had to do last night, and tied their series with the Rockets. They defended, scored, and got physical. Sometimes, a little too physical. Accoring to Ron Artest, anyway.

Ron-Ron — who had every right to be upset with Kobe after getting elbowed in the throat — was the story for his ejection, but he wasn’t the only Rocket who left the game in less than admirable fashion.

Lost in the shuffle was Von Wafer’s ejection from the game. The Houston Chronicle reports:

In between, in a sign of the passions the series had so quickly stirred, Lakers guard Derek Fisher had already been ejected for a flagrant foul of Luis Scola, and Von Wafer had been sent off the court when he threw a water bottle after being removed from the game.

Adelman and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey called the incident “a team matter.” Morey would not say if there would be further repercussions.

The series shifts to Houston tomorrow night, where Rockets fans are hoping their team can regain its composure as the pressure and tension mount. Good luck with all of that.

I’m beyond making sense right now and yet I cannot imagine sleeping because this game was so damn nuts. Wasn’t planning on writing today, but needed to because we need to discuss. Everything. Anything. All of it.

I missed the C’s and Magic because I was on the plane and we didn’t have the game on the channels I had access to. I’m still not believing this night. Game 3 is going to be psycho and perhaps we could have some players missing?

I hope Ron is good and the media doesn’t go to crazy on him, assuming he’s going to go crazy. He took an elbow to the throat and overreacted a bit. Let’s leave him be.

Fisher threw Scola like he was a ragdoll.

Kobe had 40. 3 more points to pass Larry Bird for playoff scoring.

Brian Cook on the STAPLES Center court in the final seconds of a loss for the Rockets made me feel badly for him.

Everyone is talking about the Nuggets/Mavericks series and how Denver is going to out-tough Dallas. How Kenyon’s foul against Dirk (and the fine), affected Game 1, etc., etc. This series just took over as the most intense one going. Wow. And, now we go into Houston tied.

This thing is over. Tied 1-1. I knew about 20 people at this game and I’m beyond jealous of each and every one of them.

So, who gets suspended for Game 3? Rafer? Kobe? Ron? House? Fish?

And most importantly, will Adelman allow Von Wafer to step foot into the Toyota Center?

Okay, perhaps even more importantly, Boston and LA have each tied things at 1 game apiece.

Good things in life come to those who wait. The same holds true for fantasy hoops owners as well.

If you read this column on the regular, you may get a different impression. Each week I release plenty of potential waiver additions, and preach the importance of staying on top of the add/drop developments.

While I’ll never retreat from my stance that the waiver wire is the foundation of any championship fantasy team, I thought this week I’d examine the importance of being a patient owner.

Even the most seasoned veterans fall victim to the impatient player drop. Traditionally, the only way to develop an immunity to this condition is to be infected at some point. If you play fantasy hoops long enough, chances are you’re going to get bit.

For the sake of full disclosure, SLAMonline should know that your own Mr. Fantasy is currently in recovery for an addiction to add/drop.

To help illustrate my point, I want to take a look at the seasons Rodney Stuckey and Andrea Bargnani are having.

Both Stuckey and Bargnani came into the season with buzz associated with their names. Stuckey looked to build off a solid rookie campaign and was rumored to be a favorite of GM Joe Dumars. Despite playing well in summer league, he fell in the 7th to 9th rounds of most drafts.

Bargnani’s always available as a bargain late round selection on draft night. Anytime you get the chance to grab a 7-footer with unlimited range, who has an organization’s front office shaking down the coaching staff for playing time, that’s a risk worth taking.

Stuckey and Bargnani both had miserable starts to the season. Stuckey struggled for playing time behind Chauncey Billups and wasn’t producing when he managed to find the floor. Bargnani fell right back into his typecast role as a European softy with a girl’s name, who remained a colossal waste of a No. 1 pick.

Fast forwarding to the present, both Stuckey and Bargnani are must-own players in all fantasy formats. Billups’ departure from Detroit paved the way for Stuckey to claim the starting job, and Jermaine O’Neal being, well, Jermaine O’Neal allowed Bargnani to play and excel at his natural position.

The point is, both players had terrific upside and sometimes exercising patience early in the season will pay dividends. Keep in mind that you drafted players for a reason, and a couple of bad games won’t kill your team over the long haul. Obviously, there’s a point where enough is enough, but if you need to cut bait, at least make sure the player you’re adding has as much upside as the one you’re releasing.

Speaking of patient fantasy owners, Gilbert Arenas rewarded them with a swift kick in the nuts this week when he stated he’s “Not even close (to returning)” and questioned whether it makes sense for him to suit up for such a miserable Wizards team this season.

He implied that resting and rehabbing is a better than a premature return. While it’s hard to argue with his logic, it’s obviously frustrating news for Wizards fans and Arenas owners. I don’t own Gilbert in any leagues, but if I did, this news would be all the incentive I needed to send him on his way.

Arenas is a very exciting player when healthy, but I’m growing extremely concerned about his long term future in the League. Also, these recent develops force me to ponder WHAT THE HELL WERE THE WIZARDS THINKING OFFERING HIM THAT CONTRACT!? The man looks nice in a buttoner, but who wouldn’t have their suit game tight with $111 million?

Word out of Houston is that Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest will be sidelined for two weeks, and perhaps longer. McGrady is shutting it down in hopes that the rest provides relief for his left knee soreness. Artest is nursing a badly sprained ankle that isn’t responding appropriately to treatment.

It’s been a rough start for the Western Conference’s “Big Three” and a nightmare down in Houston. I will neither confirm nor deny reports that Yao Ming reportedly recorded another T-Mobile commercial where McGrady and Artest replace Barkley and Wade and announce to Yao they are planning on shutting it down. To which Yao responds, “Don’t be like a baby!” before storming out of the Rockets’ locker room.

This was a relatively quiet week on the waiver wire, but I’ve still managed to dig up some talent for all you add/drop fiends out there:
Kirk Hinrich – His injury rehab brought him back to the Bulls’ lineup way ahead of schedule, and he saw 20 minutes in his first game. The Bulls’ backcourt is packed with rotation players, but keep your eye on Hinrich’s production or add him right away if you need a guard. His numbers will be tempered early, but he’ll pay dividends come the trading deadline.
Von Wafer – He’s now hit double figures in his last seven games, along with a career-high 23 points last night. He’s not fantastic in any other categories, but with McGrady and Artest sidelined, Wafer should be a nice spot starter for the next two weeks. The production of Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry should also see a nice spike as well.
Kyle Lowry – He’s out-battled Mike Conley for the starting point guard spot in Memphis and played 30 minutes on back-to-back nights for the first time this season. Last night, he went off for 25 points, 7 dimes, 3 rebounds and a steal. There are plenty of trade rumors surrounding the Grizzlies, but for now the job appears to be Lowry’s.
Zaza Pachulia – Al Horford’s out indefinitely with a bone bruise in his knee, making Pachullia the starter in the ATL. Though his value isn’t likely to explode, he did have a very quiet 10 points and 11 rebounds last night. Finding a double-double on the waiver wire can prove extremely difficult, and Pachulia should hold his value for the next few weeks.

Ryne and I are going head to head this week in the DroppingDimes.com expert league in an all SLAM matchup. I’ll throw up a report next week to let you guys know how it turned out. I’d better win, I’d hate to have to pass the Mr. Fantasy crown to my editor!

As always, thanks for reading guys, leave your comments in the box and I’ll get back to you ASAP.